A.M. Roundup

At 11 a.m. in the Capitol Red Room, Gov. Eliot Spitzer will sign a bill into law that allows for civil commitment of sex offenders after their prison sentences are served. He is then scheduled to meet with AARP members at 1 p.m. (same location).

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who is siding with the healthcare interests against Spitzer, got involved in the battle over NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s reorganization of city schools, backing officials and parents who want to stop it.

Cardinal Edward Egan joined more than 1,000 Catholics for their annual lobby day at the Capitol and voice opposition to embryonic stem cell research and support for tax deductions for private or parochial school tuition. Egan said the powerful teachers unions blocking the deductions are “afraid of competition.” More hereÂ and here.

Members of the Seneca Indian Nation rallied in Buffalo against Spitzer’s plans to collect sales tax on cigarettes sold on Indian reservations to non-Indians.

Senate Republicans said they want no part of a prison-closing commission, saying it’s up to Spitzer to do it himself.

The outlook for passage of a gay marriage bill this year does not look good – despite Spitzer’s support of the measure.

Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik reportedly refused a plea deal that would have ended the federal investigation into whether he engaged in tax fraud and a wiretap conspiracy. (I believe the story first appeared here. More here and here).

The Democrat-dominated Legislature chose two new members of the state Board of Regents and reappointed two others.

NYC restaurant inspectors are cracking down following Ratgate. The state Restaurant Association isn’t happy. Â

NYSEG will offer customers a one-time rebate, as directed by the PSC.Â

AG AG Alberto Gonzales rejected calls that he resign, even as the controversy over the firing of eight US attorneys continued to grow. Few Repulicans are stepping up to defend him.

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sought to clarify (but did not apologize for) his comment that homosexuality is “immoral” and the U.S. military should not “condone” openly gay behavior.

In ’08 news…

Bloomberg, whose non-campaign for president continues to draw attention, was the only current elected official to speak at a Treasury Department conference in Washington, where he said the growing rift between the haves and have-nots in America is “not morally right.”

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani will host a baseball-themed fundraiser in Manhattan tonight.

The Times takes a closer look at the rift between “America’s Mayor” and the NYC firefighters who represent the 9/11 attacks with which he is so closely identified.

The “vast right-wing conspiracy” is alive and well in New Hampshire, according to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY. More here.